Merry Christmas from the Harrimans

Santa Calls

So, someone posted Santa's phone number on Facebook.  You can call and leave him a message...I knew it was a must with Mary Ella.  We tucked Rhett in for a nap, put the call in on speaker phone, and I captured her expressions while she listened to his outgoing message.  Then she left him a mumble-y, ramble-y message, and somewhere in there told him she wanted a rope and another castle for Christmas (she's been very consistent with those 2 things).  It doesn't look like my video of our chat about her message to Santa is going to load, but it was priceless.  The pictures are pretty great too.  I promise she made all of these expressions without any prompting in the few seconds the big man was on the line.

I think she might be a little bit nervous ;)

Nutcracker Sweets

Saturday, Shelley and I took the girls to see the Nutracker.  It is put on by Mary Ella's dance academy, and we spotted Miss Emily in the first scene as Clara's mother.  It was a bit lengthy for the 3-year-olds, but we made it through.  Afterward the girls were so excited to see the characters in person at the Nutcracker tea party.  It was precious!

You better believe these girls were trying to dance like the ballerinas on our way out ;)

Her favorite part of the tea party was seeing the Mouse King and the little mice handing out cheese.



ME will be missing the Christmas party at dance class, so this week we made these ballet shoe treats and took them to class. 

Thanks AE for the idea!  They were super easy...dipped nutter butters!

My icing skills aren't the best, but I think they turned out really cute!

Parent Observation Week

Seeeveral weeks ago, was parents observation week at Mary Ella's dance academy.  Actually it was the week after Rhett's birthday party, if that tells you how far I am behind on the ol' blog.  I know, because we drove home from Fayetteville and rolled into town at 3:15...just enough time to put on her leotard and tap shoes and get to class.  First of all, when I signed her up for dance I had no idea I wouldn't be able to watch her.  I pictured myself wrestling Rhett in the dance studio for an hour.  The first couple of weeks, it was a bit disappointing to watch her walk into class and not get to stay and see what she was doing (the lobby is the size of a closet, so there's really nothing to do but drop off and pick up).  But after that, it was sweet relief!  A whole hour to have Rhett to myself and run errands or run home and start dinner.  Now, it is usually a crazy hour because we're running through Kroger and trying to make it back on time, but it is a one-less-kid-to-tote kind of crazy.  And it's funny, because I like to think Rhett enjoys that alone time with Mommy too.  ANYWAY, the parents got to come in and sit and watch class this one week of the year.  I left Rhett with Brad, so I had two hands for video and picture taking.  It was funny to see her doing what she was supposed to be doing, or not doing what she was supposed to be doing.  Ha!  It was clear the songs and dances that are her favorite.  Just like in gymnastics, it is a 3/4 year old class, and she is one of the youngest.  I wouldn't say she's the best tiny dancer in the class, but when she was on, she was on.  Imagine her big expressions set to dance and music.  It really is a sweet class, and she just loooves Ms. Emily.  I can't wait to see their recital in June!  Last week we saw a sneak peek of the costumes, and they are going to be ladybugs in an enchanted forest. ;)

Tap comes first

Time to switch to ballet

I don't know if she's always a lazy dancer, or if she was just tired from the trip!

Getting ready to leap

So lady-like

I think she might be the teacher's pet ;)

Hilarious

There she is, folks, in all her dancing glory!